NSW’s first Aboriginal Violence, Abuse and Neglect (VAN) Services trainee has graduated in the Far West Local Health District.
Proud Barkandji woman Kyeesha Jones said it had always been her dream to work in health and help her people access services.
“My Nan works as a clerk in a surgical ward and I always said I wanted to work in the hospital with her one day,” Ms Jones said.
Following the four-year VAN Service Aboriginal Traineeship, Ms Jones will stay working with the service in the District, having accepted a role as a Safe Wayz Clinician.
Ms Jones has fond memories of when she first began the traineeship with VAN Services, during her HSC studies in 2019.
“I remember the day I got my name badge and being told in my interview that I would be the first Indigenous person in the team. I felt I could really grow within the team and build relationships in Broken Hill and the surrounding communities, to make my people feel comfortable to come to this service, disclose their histories and heal together.”
VAN Services manager, Sherree Farrell, congratulated Ms Jones on her achievement.
“Kyeesha is motivated by equity of access to culturally sensitive and responsive trauma informed services for Aboriginal people, families and their communities across the Far West LHD,” Ms Farrell said.
Violence, abuse and neglect is an umbrella term used to describe three primary types of interpersonal violence that are widespread in the Australian community. It refers to domestic and family violence, sexual assault and all forms of child abuse and neglect.
Safe Wayz is a NSW Health program offering a child-centred model of care that supports children under the age of 10 who have displayed problematic or harmful sexual behaviours. The Far West LHD Safe Wayz program gives children and their families access to evidence-based prevention, early assessment and support, as well as specialist therapeutic care.
The NSW Government has committed $687 million in the 2021/22 Budget and a further $100 million in the 2022/23 Budget, towards the prevention of domestic, sexual and family violence and improving women’s safety across the community.
The Broken Hill Hospital Kiosk Auxiliary volunteers have again helped Far West Local Health District purchase equipment for use in the Broken Hill Hospital.
People at risk of harm from alcohol and drug use in Far West NSW, will have greater access to support and treatment, with a $10.7 million funding boost from the NSW Government to enhance services over four years.
